The state funeral for Maulvi Dr. Wahab Adam, Ameer and Missionary-in-charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission in Ghana, was held in Accra yesterday amidst glowing tributes in honour of the departed Islamic leader.

All the tributes read at the solemn Islamic burial service at the Forecourt of the State House for the revered leader, acknowledged the late Maulvi as a peacemaker and unifier who worked and lived for his nation.

Hundreds of mourners including government officials, led by the Vice President, Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, led by the Speaker, the clergy, traditional leaders, and members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission in Ghana and abroad.

The casket drapped in the national colours, was opened for about an hour to allow the dignitaries and mourners to file past after which tributes were read.

The government, in its tribute read by Mahama Ayariga, Minister of Information and Media Relations, bemoaned the loss, indicating that the late Ameer would be remembered and his passion for sustained effort in building bridges among Muslim sects, and between Muslims and other faiths.

He said the late Maulvi Adam was an influential leader who used his position to pursue peace and development, citing the numerous contributions the Mission was able to provide in the area of education and health service delivery.

According to him, the late Ameer’s book, titled, “Reflections: A journey towards peace,” summed up his passion for peace.

Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharabutu, the National Chief Imam, in his tribute, described the late Ameer as “an outstanding muslim, a unifier and a great man of wisdom”.

In addition, he said the late Dr. Adam was an intellectual with incredible discipline who practiced the concept of unity in diversity.

The Christian Council of Ghana, in its tribute read by its General Secreatry, Rev. Opuni Frimpong, said Ghana and Africa had lost a great peacemaker.

He recalled some of the deceased contributions to peace and development, indicating that he continuously pursued religious tolerance and cohesion, adding that the late Dr Adam was always ready to support any peace project.

Most Reverend Prof. Emmanuel Asante, Chairman of the National Peace Council, presenting the tribute of the council, which the late Dr. Adam was a member, described him as “a gift to the country”.

“He was a heroic defender of truth,” he said, and prayed for the protection of his soul.

The bereaved family, in its tribute delivered by his son, said although Ghanaians knew the late Ameer as a statesman, “we knew him as a very supportive father, a counsellor and hardworking and reliable person”.

“We believe he has done his work excellently,” he said.

After the tributes, pre-burial Muslim Janazah prayers were offered before the body was conveyed for burial at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Cemetery.

The late Ghanaian Muslim leader, passed away on June 22, at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, leaving behind a wife and seven children.

Maulvi Wahab was born in December 1939, at Brofeyedur-Adansi, in the Ashanti Region.

He attended the T.I. Ahmadiyya Secondary School in Kumasi, and proceeded to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Seminary and Ahmadiyya Theological University, in Pakistan.

He received a Diploma in Arabic and Honours Degree in Theology and Islamic Jurisprudence in 1960.

After serving as the Brong-Ahafo Regional Missionary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission from 1960 – 1969, he became the Principal of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Missionary Training College at Saltpond.

In 1971, he was appointed to the high office of the Deputy Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission of the United Kingdom. He was subsequently promoted to the position of Ameer (Head) and Missionary-in-Charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission in Ghana.

He steered the affairs of the Mission with distinction, and was instrumental in the establishment of the Halal Committee that advocated the national holidays for Muslim festivities. By Edmund Mingle